Augustus hunt



(No Modem A. HUNT.

- 8 1GB GONVBYBR.

No. 261,231. v Patented Julyv 18, 1882.

WITNESSESZ NA PETERS: mxo-Lumgmpmr, wmhmgxcw. L'. C

AUGUSTUS HUNT, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO KNIOKERBOGKERICE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

ICE-CONVEYER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 261,231, dated July 18,1882.

Application led June 6, 1882.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, AUGUSTUS HUNT, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania,haveinventedanew and useful Improvement in Conveyers for Ice, whichimprovement is fully set forth inthe following specification andaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation, partlysectional, of the conveyer embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is atop orplan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a vertical section thereof. Fig. 4 is aside elevation of a modification of the chain of the conveyer. Fig. 5 isa plan view thereof. Fig. 6 is a side elevation, showing an inclinedportion of the conveyer.

Similar letters ot' reference indicate corresponding parts in theseveral figures.

My invention consists of the construction of a conveyer whereby but asingle chain is em.-

ployed.

It also consists of ngers which are attached to the conveyer-chain,their construction being such that they unfailingly take hold ofthearticle to be conveyed.

It further consists of lugs which serve to guide the chain and preventupward strain on the chain and displacement ofthe same.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a platform, to which areattached tracks B B, by which ice and other articles may be conveyed toa place of storage, car, ship, or other means of transportation or otherplace, the description of the invention being hereinafter limited to theconveyance of ice. y

To the platform A are secured rails G C, which are separated from eachother and extend parallel with the tracks B, and to the top of saidrails C are fastened horizontal rails D, which are separated from eachother and overhang the space a between the two rails C.

E represents sprocket or toothed wheels, one of which is properlymounted at each end of the platform A, and passing around said wheels Eis an endless chain, F, which moves in the space a between the rails C.The chain F is preferably formed of jointed links, and to the same areconnected at intervals fingers 0r jaws G,fwhich at the bottom are ofwidth less than the throat b between the horizontal rails (No model.)

D, so as to move in said throat when the chain F moves in the space a,and the upper part of thetingers tlarein opposite directions or widen,so as to be salient, as more readily shown in Figs. 2 and 3. 'lhe outerends of the fingers are pointed, so as to take firm hold of the articleto be conveyed, andthe backs of the fingers are inclined to preventshocks being injuriously imparted to them when struck from the rear. Y

Attached to the chain at intervals, or at the place of connection of thefingers with said chain, are laterally-projecting lugs H, whose width issuch that they engage under the horizontal rails D, and thus act asbarriers to theascent of the chain and connected parts without, however,interfering with the freedom of motion of the same.

J represents a guiding board or piece,whicl1 is supported on trestles,stilts, or other means below the platform A, the Width of said piecebeing less than the space between the partof a pair of lingers adjacentto the place of connection with the chain, the piece being so disposedthat said part of the pair ot' iin gers straddles the piece when thefingers are on the nnder side of the chain, (see Fig. 3,) by which meansthe chain is guided in its passage below the platform A.

If desired, the fin' gers may be double-point-` ed, as shown at thebottom of Fig. l, thus adapting said ingers to engage with ice in eitherdirection of motion ofthe chain.

When power is imparted to either sprocketwheel or both wheels the chainkF is moved, whereby ice placed on the tracks B B is caught by thefingers G, and thus carried to the required spot or place, the ice beingunfailingly engaged by the fingers, owing to the daring or salient shapethereof. l'

The lugs H bear against the overhanging rails D, which act as flangesand receive the upward strain occasioned by the carriage of the ice,thus relieving thecha-in and preventing displacement of the latter, andholding said chain from contact with the rails D, thus avoiding frictionof the entire length of the chain, which advantages exist to a greaterextent where the rails are inclined, the upward strain 011 the chainthen beingincreased. It will also IOC be seen that the ngers are soguided by the lugs H that only a single chain is employed to carry ormove the fingers, thus simplifying and cheapening the construction ot'the conveyer. Should the chain be slack, it may be tightened by wheelsor other devices properly applied.

It desired,each rail C and D may be formed of one piece, as a track flanged inwardly at top.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The conveyer-chain having fingers orjaws extending laterally outward,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A platform having rails secured thereto, in combination with a chainworking between the rails, ngers connected to the chain and extendinglaterally outward above the rails, and operating mechanism for thechain, substantially as set forth.

3. A platform having rails secured thereto, in combination with a chainworking between the rails, said chain being provided with fingers orjaws the lower ends ot' which move in the space between the rails and attheir upper ends project or extend laterally outward above said rails,substantially as set forth.

4. The platform provided with the tracks and rails on each side, incombination with the conveyer-chain having fingers or jaws andlaterally-projecting lugs, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

5. The conveyer-chainhaving tin gers or jaws formed with inclined backs,substantially'as and for the purpose set forth.

G. The conveyer-chain provided with laterally-projecting lugs which bearagainst rails or ilanges at the top of the chain-space, substantially asand for the purpose set forth.

7 The conveyer-chain with fingers or jaws, :in combination with thebottom guiding-board, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.AUGUSTUS HUNT.

Witnesses:

J. A. WIEDERSHEIM, A. P. GRANT.

